Boat & Sail

Top guide · Pontoon boats · 2026

3 Best Pontoon Boats in 2026

Pontoon boats are the segment that argues deck space wins over hull form for family entertaining. The category covers 13-to-30-foot pontoon hulls with two or three aluminum tubes, layouts from open bench seating to bow-and-U-stern lounges, and outboards from 9.9 to 350 hp. This guide ranks three hulls that cleared our 2026 review across entry, mid, and premium tiers.

We sampled 12 candidates across broker-listing data and dealer-network feedback through April 2026. Filters below let you narrow by length, drivetrain, primary use, and price tier. Build, performance, accommodations, systems, value, and resale carry equal weight unless the entertaining framing pushes accommodations up.

By Boat & Sail Editorial · Updated May 2026 · 12 hulls evaluated, 3 selected

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Compare all 3 at a glance

Used-market pricing sampled April 2026. Click a boat to jump to its review.

#BoatLength DriveUsed range BuildPerformanceValue Best for
1 Manitou Cruise 24
Manitou 		22-24ft outboard-single $48,000–72,000 (2020–2023 hulls) ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★☆ family, entertaining
2 Bennington 21 SSLX
Bennington 		20-22ft outboard-single $28,000–42,000 (2020–2023 hulls) ★★★★☆ ★★★★☆ ★★★★★ family, entertaining
3 Veer V13 by Lund
Lund 		12-14ft outboard-tiller $8,400–12,200 (2020–2023 hulls) ★★★★☆ ★★★☆☆ ★★★★★ family, fishing
1. Manitou · 22-24ft · outboard-single · premium

Manitou Cruise 24

Manitou Cruise 24

The verdict: Yes, the segment standout for performance pontoons under 26 feet

The Cruise 24 is the pontoon boat the performance segment cross-shops everything else against. Manitou's V-Toon hull design with center pontoon plus lifting strakes pushes the boat to 38 mph top end with a Mercury 200, holds 2-foot chop without pounding, and turns like a 22-foot bowrider. The cockpit fits 12 adults legitimately under the bimini, and the build runs flagship-tier with stitched-vinyl upholstery and powder-coated rails. Used at $52,000-62,000 for a 2021 hull is the buy.

Build

★★★★★

Performance

★★★★★

Accommodations

★★★★★

Systems

★★★★☆

Value

★★★★☆

Resale

★★★★★

Read the full breakdown

Build. Three-tube V-Toon hull with .090 gauge aluminum tubes and lifting strakes. Powder-coated rails with stainless hardware. Stitched-vinyl upholstery throughout. Marine-grade plywood deck with single-piece vinyl floor.

Performance. Mercury 200 outboard pushes the Cruise 24 to 38 mph top end. Cruise at 26 mph holds 4.0 mpg. V-Toon hull holds 2-foot chop without pounding, segment-leading for the LOA.

Accommodations. Bow lounge fits four. U-stern lounge fits four. Two helm captain seats. Bimini standard. Storage runs deeper than competitors at same length. Optional changing-room cabana.

Systems. Garmin chartplotter standard. JL Audio with subwoofer. Twin battery cradles with switch. LED courtesy lighting throughout. Bilge pumps with manual override.

Value. Premium-tier money for a performance pontoon. Used at $52,000-62,000 for a 2021 hull is the buy because Manitou depreciation slows after year three.

Resale. Manitou holds resale within 24-28 percent of new at five years. Brand demand on the freshwater-lake market supports turnover. The Cruise 24 specifically trades within 60-90 days at fair pricing.

What's included

Mercury 200 outboard, Garmin chartplotter, JL Audio with subwoofer, twin battery cradles with switch, LED courtesy lighting, V-Toon three-tube hull with lifting strakes, bimini, bow and U-stern lounges.

What costs extra

Trailer, changing-room cabana, surf shaper bracket, hardtop with electronics box, premium audio upgrade beyond JL standard, depth finder upgrade.

What works

  • ✓ V-Toon three-tube hull with lifting strakes pushes 38 mph top end
  • ✓ Holds 2-foot chop without pounding, segment-leading for the LOA
  • ✓ Cockpit fits 12 adults legitimately under bimini, real entertaining capacity
  • ✓ Stitched-vinyl upholstery and powder-coated rails throughout
  • ✓ Resale floor is the firmest in the performance-pontoon segment

What doesn't

  • ✗ Premium money pushes mid-tier pontoon-buyer budgets
  • ✗ Optional changing-room cabana adds $3,500-4,800 if ordered post-build
  • ✗ V-Toon hull premium adds 15-20 percent over equivalent two-tube pontoon

Best for

Performance-pontoon buyers running 100-plus hours a season including watersports. Cross-shoppers from bowriders who want more cockpit volume. Freshwater-lake households with entertaining priority.

Not ideal for

Saltwater coastal owners, the build is freshwater-friendly first. Budget-tier buyers, equivalent Bennington QX pontoons trade 15-20 percent under at same vintage.

Best year & trim to buy

2021-2023 with the V-Toon three-tube hull and Mercury 200 standard. Verify lifting-strake condition pre-purchase.

Pricing, April 2026

New
$78,000–98,000 new
Used
$48,000–72,000 (2020–2023 hulls)
Read the full Manitou Cruise 24 review →
2. Bennington · 20-22ft · outboard-single · mid

Bennington 21 SSLX

Bennington 21 SSLX

The verdict: Yes, the strongest mid-tier value pick in the segment

The 21 SSLX is the pontoon boat for buyers who want the brand recognition without the performance-tier premium. Two-tube aluminum hull with .080 gauge tubes, Mercury 150 outboard, and a layout that fits 10 adults under the bimini. The build is honest, hardware is mid-tier with stainless on visible mounts, vinyl quality holds up better than entry-tier alternatives. Used at $32,000-38,000 for a 2021 hull is the value buy.

Build

★★★★☆

Performance

★★★★☆

Accommodations

★★★★★

Systems

★★★★☆

Value

★★★★★

Resale

★★★★☆

Read the full breakdown

Build. Two-tube aluminum hull with .080 gauge tubes. Stainless hardware on visible mounts. Vinyl upholstery is mid-tier and holds up adequately if covered. Marine-grade plywood deck with vinyl floor.

Performance. Mercury 150 outboard pushes the 21 SSLX to 30 mph top end. Cruise at 22 mph holds 4.6 mpg. Two-tube hull is calm-water-first by design, 1-foot chop is fine, 2-foot chop slaps.

Accommodations. Bow lounge fits four. U-stern lounge fits four. Two helm captain seats. Bimini standard. Storage runs adequate for the LOA.

Systems. Garmin chartplotter optional, recommended at this price. JL Audio. Single battery cradle with switch. LED courtesy lighting on 2021+ trims.

Value. The strongest pure-value pick in the segment. Used 2021 hulls at $32,000-38,000 are 30-35 percent under equivalent Manitou Cruise 24 at same year and hours.

Resale. Bennington holds resale within 28-32 percent of new at five years on two-tube SSLX trims. Brand demand on the freshwater-lake market supports turnover.

What's included

Mercury 150 outboard, JL Audio, single battery cradle with switch, two-tube aluminum hull, bimini, bow and U-stern lounges, helm captain seats.

What costs extra

Trailer, Garmin chartplotter, premium audio upgrade, third tube upgrade, lifting strakes, changing-room cabana, hardtop, depth finder.

What works

  • ✓ Used 2021 hulls at $32,000-38,000 are the value buy in the mid tier
  • ✓ Mercury 150 outboard is the simplest single in the segment to service
  • ✓ Cockpit fits 10 adults under bimini, real family-and-friends capacity
  • ✓ Brand recognition supports a clean exit when ready to upgrade
  • ✓ LED courtesy lighting from 2021, real boat-thinking at this price

What doesn't

  • ✗ Two-tube hull is calm-water-first, 2-foot chop slaps
  • ✗ Garmin chartplotter is optional, recommended at this price
  • ✗ Vinyl quality is mid-tier, premium-tier buyers will see the gap to Manitou

Best for

First-time pontoon buyers. Lake-and-river families. Cross-shoppers from Manitou who want the brand without the performance-tier premium. Households running 30-60 hours a season.

Not ideal for

Saltwater coastal owners. Performance-priority buyers needing 35-plus mph top end. Heavy chop households running 2-plus foot regularly.

Best year & trim to buy

2021-2023 with the LED courtesy lighting standard and Mercury 150. Order the Garmin chartplotter if not pre-installed.

Pricing, April 2026

New
$48,000–62,000 new
Used
$28,000–42,000 (2020–2023 hulls)
Read the full Bennington 21 SSLX review →
3. Lund · 12-14ft · outboard-tiller · entry

Veer V13 by Lund

Veer V13 by Lund

The verdict: Yes, the small-water pontoon that argues 13 feet is the right length

The V13 is the pontoon boat that argues less LOA and less engine still works for small-water fishing and family use. A 13-foot pontoon hull with .080 gauge tubes, Mercury 9.9 hp tiller, and a layout that fits four adults legitimately. Lund's build runs honest with stainless hardware on visible mounts and a marine-grade plywood deck with vinyl floor. The trade is the limited use case, the V13 is small-pond and protected-bay-water-first by design.

Build

★★★★☆

Performance

★★★☆☆

Accommodations

★★★★☆

Systems

★★★☆☆

Value

★★★★★

Resale

★★★★☆

Read the full breakdown

Build. Two-tube aluminum hull with .080 gauge tubes. Stainless hardware on visible mounts. Marine-grade plywood deck with vinyl floor. Hardware is freshwater-first.

Performance. Mercury 9.9 hp tiller pushes the V13 to 12 mph with two aboard. Cruise at 8 mph holds 7.0 mpg. Pontoon hull is calm-water-only by design.

Accommodations. Bow lounge fits two. Aft bench fits two. Single helm seat with tiller. Bimini optional. Storage under bench seats.

Systems. Single battery cradle. Bilge pump optional. LED courtesy lighting optional. The boat is small-water-first by design.

Value. The strongest pure-value pick in the entry tier. Used 2021 hulls at $9,200-10,800 give a first-time owner a real pontoon experience for less than the cost of a serious kayak.

Resale. Lund holds resale within 30-34 percent of new at five years on small pontoon configurations. Brand demand on the Midwest freshwater market supports turnover.

What's included

Mercury 9.9 hp tiller, two-tube aluminum hull, bow lounge, aft bench, single helm seat with tiller, single battery cradle, marine-grade plywood deck.

What costs extra

Trailer (single-axle is a $2,400 line), bimini, electronics, livewell, swim ladder, navigation lights upgrade, premium audio.

What works

  • ✓ Used 2021 hulls at $9,200-10,800 are the cheapest entry to a real pontoon
  • ✓ Mercury 9.9 hp tiller is the simplest outboard in the segment to service
  • ✓ Bow lounge plus aft bench fits four adults legitimately
  • ✓ 13-foot LOA fits in a single-axle trailer easily
  • ✓ Lund brand demand supports resale on the Midwest freshwater market

What doesn't

  • ✗ Pontoon hull is calm-water-only, the V13 is small-pond and protected-bay-water-first
  • ✗ Bimini is optional, recommended for shade
  • ✗ Single battery cradle, no electronics standard

Best for

Small-pond and protected-bay-water buyers. Cartop and pickup-bed pontoon owners. First-time pontoon households running 30-50 hours a season.

Not ideal for

Big-water and large-lake owners. Performance-priority buyers. Saltwater coastal use.

Best year & trim to buy

2020-2023 with the Mercury 9.9 hp tiller. Verify trailer-bunk condition pre-purchase if package includes a trailer.

Pricing, April 2026

New
$13,800–17,400 new (with 9.9 hp)
Used
$8,400–12,200 (2020–2023 hulls)
Read the full Veer V13 by Lund review →

How we picked

12 hulls in the 13-to-30-foot pontoon-boat window cleared our first-pass screen. We kept the three that show up consistently with clean welds, fair pricing on the secondary market, and known issues either solved or transparently priced into the listing. Cross-references included 600-plus owner posts on iboats.com pontoon forum, the pontoon-deck communities on iboatsforum.com, and Boating Magazine pontoon reviews from the rolling 12 months.

Each boat scored on six dimensions: build (15%), performance (15%), accommodations (25%), systems (10%), value (20%), and resale (15%). Accommodations carry the heaviest weight because cockpit volume and seating fit-and-finish define the segment. Value runs second because pontoon-boat ownership is calm-water-first and watching the dollar-per-feature ratio.

Tube-gauge thickness (.080 entry, .090 mid-premium), V-Toon performance-hull condition, and Mercury and Yamaha outboard service intervals are documented hot spots that affected our year-range guidance. Quarterly refresh, next revision due August 2026.

What people actually ask

Two-tube or three-tube pontoon?

Two-tube hulls give you the simplest pontoon platform and the lowest entry price. Three-tube (or tritoon) hulls add a center tube with lifting strakes, which gives you 30-40 percent more horsepower handling capacity, better turning, and meaningfully better chop performance. For calm-water entertaining at 20-25 mph cruise, two-tube is fine. For watersports households running 35-plus mph or for boats running large lakes with 2-foot chop, three-tube wins.

What does ownership cost per year?

Outboard service every 100 hours $400-700 per engine. Annual hull wash and inspection $200-500. Storage $1,200-3,500 depending on indoor/outdoor and region. Insurance $300-1,000 for hull values $25,000-90,000. Tube-bottom inspection annual (DIY or $200-300 if professional). Vinyl upholstery cleaning and protection annual $100-300. The pontoon-boat ownership story runs lower than equivalent fiberglass-hulled boats.

How important is the V-Toon hull upgrade?

Important if you run watersports, large lakes with 2-foot-plus chop, or want top-end above 30 mph. V-Toon adds the center pontoon plus lifting strakes that let the hull plane more like a fiberglass boat. The trade is the 15-20 percent price premium over equivalent two-tube. For pure entertaining at 20-25 mph cruise, two-tube is fine. For mixed-use households, V-Toon or equivalent three-tube earns its premium.

Best resale on this list?

Manitou Cruise 24 first, holds within 24-28 percent of new at five years. Bennington 21 SSLX second, brand demand keeps inventory moving on the freshwater-lake market. Lund Veer V13 trails on absolute dollars but holds firm at 30-34 percent of new because the entry-tier always has demand.

Should I get a survey?

Surveys are uncommon on pontoon boats under $50,000 because the cost ($300-600) approaches 1-2 percent of purchase. Visual inspection of tube gauge condition (dimples and dents are warning signs), transom mount integrity, deck rot under the vinyl floor, and outboard compression catches 90 percent of issues. On premium-tier pontoons over $50,000, a survey is worth the $400-700 because vinyl-and-deck rot can hide significant repair lines.

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